Bead stringer



Jan. 10, 1933.

L. A EDERER V BEADSTRINGER Filed March 24, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l L. A. EDERER Jan. 10, 1933.

BEAD STRINGER Filed March 24. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 1 2M922??? jaf/iarlid/er Twat Z. v @111 Jan. 10, 1933. L. A. EDERER 1,893,538

' BEAD STRINGER Filed March 24, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .7 70/01/07" fariidere'r g gim-Gfri L. A. EDERER BEAD STRINGER Jan. 10, 1933.

Filed March 24, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 10, 1933. EDERER 1,893,538

BEAD STRINGER Filed March 24. 1930 5 SheetsSheet 5 Patented Jan. 10, 1933 ersiee TO R. J. EDERER (30., OF

ELLEN 01S BEAD STRINGER Application filed March 24, 1930; Serial 1T0. 438,398.

This invention relates to an apparatus and a process for threading beads, rings, washers or other perforated members upon a rod, wire string or other holder.

One object is to provide a means for mechanically threading such members on a cord. Another object is to provide in connection 'ith such a means an automatic feeding mechanism.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the specification and claims.

My invention illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation;

Figure 2 is a detailed side elevation on an enlarged scale taken on the opposite side of the machine from that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the machine in elevation with parts broken away and parts in section;

Figure is aside elevation generally similar to Figure 2, showing the parts in a ditterent position; I

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical cross section taken on line 55 of Figure 3 on an enlarged scale, showing one of hue needle grippin assemblies;

Figure 6 is a transverse horizontal section taken on line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure '4 is a vertical cross section of a portion at the feeding mechanism;

Figure 8 is a vertical cross section on an enlarged scale taken at line 8-8 of Figure 9. showing the upper end of the feed tube;

Figure 9 is a side elevation with parts in sect on and parts broken away, showing the teed 130K and a portion of the feed tube;

Figure 10 is a. cross section taken at line 10l0 or Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a cross section taken at line 1l1l of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is an elevation of the needle with portion of the attached cord;

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the cord attaching means with parts broken away and parts in section.

Like parts designated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

The machine of this invention may be supported on foundation A. A motor A may also be supported on the foundation A. ihe motor carries a pulley A a shaft A is journaled in the support A which may also 5 be carried by the foundation The shaft carries a pulley A. A is a belt placed about the pulley A and the pulley A by means of w rich the latter is d 'iven from the motor.

A is smaller pulley positioned on the shaft 69 A The machine proper is supported upon a pair of vertically extending members A A which are preferably oined at their hottoms and supported on the foundation A. M 08 Their upper ends may be bent laterally as shown in Figures 1, 2 and l. A. shaft A is ournaled in the member A It carries at one end a pulley A. A is a belt which positioned about the pulley A and the sm ler pulley A]. By means of the trans- 7') mission just described the shaft A is rotated by the motor. A. pulley A has associated with it a hub 21" which may or may not be made integral with but rotates with it and with the shaft A9. Formed on the pulley a sprocket A i t their upper ends, the members A support, in suitable journals, a shaft A. Fixed on this shaft to rotate with it is a sprocket A A is a chain which is positioned about the sprockets A and A Mounted on the shaft A at the opposite end from the pulley A is a cam wheel B. In one face it is provided with two cam slots or depressions B and E the slot or depression 39 B being closer to the center of the cam than is the slot B Each of the cam slots B B is formed so that it has in general two main diameters, one being greater than the other and the slots are so arranged with respect to p each other that the greatest diameter of each is positioned generally oppositely with respect to the smallest diameter of the other. Extending outwardly from one of the members A is a support B Pivotaily carried on this support are lever arms B B B and B are springs mounted also on the support B and bearing respectively on the arms 13 B and tending to hold them in a raised position. The arms B B are provided ith rollers B B respectively. The roller B is positioned within the cam groove 13 and the roller B is positioned within the cam groove B C is a supporting member formed preferably on one of the vertical members A and extending laterally therefrom. Pivotally mounted on the support C is a bell crank C. At its upper end this crank carries an engaging piece C the details of which will be described below. At its lower or outer end it is pivotally fastened to a connecting member C This member at its lower end is joined to the lever B at the outer end of which the roller B is supported. Pivoted also on the support C is a bell crank C which carries at its upper end an engaging member C similar to the member C The bell crank C is rovided at its lower or outer end with a handle extension Pivoted to the handle extension C is a connecting member C similar to the member C and joined also at its lower end to the lever B.

D is a support formed preferably on one of the vertical members A extending laterally from it and positioned above the support G. Pivotally mounted on the support D is a bell crank D which carries at its upper end an engaging member D similar to the engaging members C and C above mentioned. The engaging member D has formed within it on its inner face a notch D and on its upper face it is provided with a plate I) which has formed within it a notch D which is smaller than the notch D in the member D The details of these engaging members are shown in Figures 5 and 6. At its outer or lower end the bell crank 1D is joined to a connecting member 1) which member is at its lower end joined to the lever B This latter lever also supports the roller 13. D is a bell crank carrying at its upper end an engaging member D which is preferably similar in construc- 'tion to the previously mentioned engaging members C C and D At its lower or outer end the bell crank D carries a handle extension D Pivotally oined to this extension intermediate its ends is a connecting member I). This latter member is joined at its lower end to the lever B E is a needle member. It is preferably pointed at its upper end as at E and it is provided intermediate its ends with two circumferential grooves or notches E and E E being the upper notch and E the lower when the needle is supported in the position shown in the drawings. At its lower end the needle is provided with an interiorly threaded cavity E" and with an enlarged cavity E communicating with the cavity E E is a member provided with a preferably reduced threaded shank or extension E which is of such size that it may be screwed into the cavity E Pivotally connected to the member E are two cord engaging sections E E Each of them is provided with an enlargement FR which has a semi-cylindrical interiorly threaded portion E F is a cord which may be inserted into the threaded cavities E The members E are then moved together so that the cord is engaged on both sides and the shank E is screwed into place, thereby drawing the reduced portions of the member E into the cavity E antL compressing the portions E upon the cord F so that the latter is engaged and held firmly in the position shown in the drawings.

The cam wheel 13 is provided in one face with a cam groove G. As indicated particularly in Figure 1, t iis groove is formed generally of two diameters so that it has two semicylindrical sections joined by inclined portions. A lever G is mounted on the support B as at G Connected to the outer end of the lever G is a connecting rod G which extends upwardly and is, at its upper end, connected to a bell crank G. G is a roller carried by the lever G and lying with in the cam groove G. G is a spring fastened at one end on the support B and at its other end bearing against the lever G and tending to hold it in a raised position in contact with the outside of the cam groove.

Extending upwardly from one of the vertical members A is a frame member H. It; is provided with a bent portion H The bell crank G is pivoted upon this member. In the form here shown it is approximately at the point of the bend between the portions H and H The bent portion H supports a bin H which is provided with a bottom which slopes toward the discharge opening. This bottom is also so shaped as to provide a sloping face H which is in a plane at right angles to that of the inclination H H is an insert in the bin provided with a face which slopes as indicated in Figures 8 and 9. H is a movable member projecting within the bin provided with an inclined face H and with means for moving it which will be described below. The back wall H of the bin is provided with a depression H which is generally in alignment with the outlet passage and which may receive a portion of the member which defines that passage. H is a downward extension formed preferably integrally with the member H.

Supported on the member H is a bracket 1. At its outer end the bracket I carries a member I within which a tube I is slidably mounted. This tube extends into-the bin- H and lies within the depression H The tube is cut away as indicated in. Figures 8,9 and 10 as at I Pivoted on the member I is a lever I*. At oneend the lever is attached to a connecting red I which,at its-lower end, is attached to one arm of the bellicrank G Extending. upwardly from the oppositeend of the lever I is-a connecting rod-I which is attached at its upper end toithe extension H of the member H At each end the lever I has movably mounted upon. it an: upwardly extending rod-like member I The members I are bent as-indicated in the drawings so that they lie close to the tube I and may be moved to projectintothe bin. As indicated in Figures 8, 9 and 10, one of the members I extends into the bin. Reverse movement of the lever I will withdraw the one which is within the bin and will insert the other into thebin. A number of perforations or openings are formed in the bottom H of the bin to permit the members I to penetrate within the bin.

About the lower end of the tube 1 is positioned a collar J. J is a tube section of a diameter less than that of the tube I and p0- sitioned within the lower end of that tube. Extending downwardly from the collar J is a connecting link J Atits lower end this link is joined to a lever J which is pivoted as at J* on the support H. At its other end the lever J carries a roller J which is in contact with a cam J 6 positioned on the shaft A. A rotation of the shaft moves the cams, rocks the lever J and through the connectingl-ink J 2 and the collar J moves the tube I in reciprocation.

K is a support mounted on the member H terminating in a collar K within which a tube section K is positioned. The tube section J extends into the upper end of the tube section K A part of the section K is provided with a slot K and is bent so as to assumea vertical position as indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 4. K is asupporting bracket mounted on the member H. At its free end it engages and supports the lower end of the tube section K as-indicated at K is an ear formed on th member K and furnishing a point of attachment for one end of a spring K the upper end of which is fastened to the collar J at or near the-point of meunting of the connecting link J The tube K is cut away at its bottom as at K and a hinged section K of generally semi-cylindrical formation is positioned within the cut awayportion and is supported upon a suitably hinged mounting which is itself supported on the tube K K is a spring supported at one end on the hinged section K and hearing at the other on the support K The spring tends to hold the hinged section K in the, position shown in Figure 3. It can yield outwardly, swinging to the left.

L :is a supporting member carried by the-- support H and extending outwardly fromit. Adjacent its outer end it- .has formed upon it orattached to it upwardly and inwardly extending members. L which to.-

is provided with a perforation L and with.

outwardly and laterally extending flanges L L along its lower edge. Mounted on the shaft A and preferably intermediate its ends is a rotor L upon which is. formed a cam L. L is a push rod fastened at one end: to theslide block L carrying at its opposite end'a roller L which is held in contact with. the cam L by a compression spring L which bearsrat one end against one side of one of the vertical members A and at its other end; against a disc or other retaining memberL which. is fastened on the push rod U. L is a perforation in the member L.

M, M are beads or weights which. are threaded by the machine on to the cord F.

A cover for the needle engaging and disengaging parts is provided and is formed of a front N, in which openings N ,-N areformed, through, which project the needle engaging members C C, D and D. A side N is provided and a top N An-inclinedside N is provided and in this is formed an opening N through which the-extension handle D may extend. A similar opening N is, formed in the side N and through this the handle C extends. The front portion 'N extends downward beyond the side walls or portions of the housing.

It will be realized that while I haveherein described and shown a practical operative device,-nevertheless.many changes and modifications might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention and I wish, therefore, that my showing be taken as ina sense diagrammatic.

The-use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In the form shown, the invention is particularly adapted for use in stringing or threading on a cord a quantity of more or less tubular members, such, for example, as weights which may be used on fish nets. Other sorts of perforated members can, of course, be handled by the machine. The bin or other supply receptacle is filled with the weights and the motor is set in operation, thus causing the mechanism to operate. The upper tubular section I is reciprocated ver-. tically, the member H is reciprocated vertically as are also the members I. Thus the weights are agitated and are fed into the tube section I They move downwardly through the tube and strike upon the slide block L in the position shown in Figure 3. This block is reciprocated laterally and it is moved from the position shown in Figure 3 to. that shown in Figure 7 and the perforationv L is thus brought into alignment with the lower tubular section K and one, or more, of the weights falls into the perforation L the bottom one resting upon the member L. The parts continue to move, the slide block is moved to the left into the position shown in Figure 3, the weights which have been moved with the slide block fall through the perforation L in the bottom of the member L. The weights which fall through the perforation fall onto the needle. This is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The needle in this position is being gripped by the upper pair of needle engaging members D D The lower pair C C is not gripping the needle. With the parts in this position the movement of the movable parts continues, the cam carrying member 13 rotates and through the cam rollers which are carried in the two cam grooves of the member B and by means of the linkage associated with them which connects them to the bell cranks carrying the needle engaging parts, the lower pair of needle engaging member 0 C moves from the position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to that shown in Figure a in which they engage the needle at its lower groove E As this occurs the upper pair of needle engaging members D D is moved away into the position shown in Figure 4 and the weights then drop into the position shown in that figure. The operation of the machine continues and the cycle of operation is repeated, the needle is again gripped by the upper pair of needle en gaging members and is released by the lower pair, which releases the weights which had rested upon it and they are discharged along the needle and onto the cord F. A pair of weights moving onto the cord is shown in Figures 2 and 8.

The actuating mechanism for reciprocating the tube member I includes the cam J, the lever J the connecting link J and the collar J. The means for agitating the parts in the in, that is to say the means for mov ing the members I and H includes the lover I, the connecting links I and I a bell crank G, connecting link G let er G and cam G, which is formed on the face of the member B opposite to the cam grooves B and B I claim:

1. In a threading machine, a member receiving part, a plurality of means for holding and releasing said member receiving part, a positive feed adapted to convey members positively in faced position to the member receiving part.

2. In a threading machine, a member re ceiving part, a cord removably attached to it, a plurality of means for holding and releasing said member receiving part, a positive feed adapted to convey members posi tively in faced position to the member re ceiving part.

3. In a threading machine, a member receiving part, a plurality of means for holding and releasing said member receiving part, a gravity conveyor adapted to convey members toward said member receiving part, a positive feed member adapted to receive members from said gravity conveying means and to convey them positively in faced position' to the member receiving part.

. 4:. In a threading machine, a bin adapted to hold members which are to be threaded, a member receiving part, a plurality of means for holding and releasing said member receiving part, a gravity conveyor adapted to convey members toward said member receiving part, a positive feed member adapted to receive members from said gravity conveying means and to convey them positively to the member receiving part, and means for agitating the members in the bin and for agitating a portion of said gravity conveying means.

5. In a threading machine, a bin adapted to hold members which are to be threaded, a member receiving part, a cord removably attached to it, a plurality of means for holding and releasing said member receiving part, a gravity conveyor adapted to convey members toward said member receiving part, a positive feed member adapted to receive members from said gravity conveying means and to convey them positively to the member receiving part, and means for agitating the members in the bin and for agitating a portion of said gravity conveying means.

6. In a bead stringing machine, a needle, a supply means therefor, having a discharge end, out of alignment with said needle and a movable positive supply means, said positive supply means provided with a perforation adapted when in one position of the movable supply means to receive members from said first supply means and when in another position to block discharge from said means, said perforation being positioned above and in alignment with said needle for discharging said members onto said needle when the perforation is in said second mentioned position, and means for retaining the members within said perforation during movement of the movable supply means from the first mentioned position to the second mentioned position.

7. In a bead stringing machine, a needle, a supply means therefor, having a discharge end, out of alignment with said needle and a movable positive supply means and means for moving it between said first mentioned supply means and said needle, said positive supply means provided with a perforation adapted when in one position of the movable supply means to receive members from said first supply means and when in another position of the movable supply means to block discharge from said means, said perforation being positioned above and in alignment with gravity supply means therefor, having a fixed discharge end, out oi alignment with said needle and a movable positive supply means and means for moving it between said gravity supply means and said needle, said positive sup-ply means provided with a perforation adapted when in one position of the movable supply means to receive members from said gravity supply means and when in another position of the movable supply means to block discharge from said means, said perforation being positioned above and in alignment with said needle for discharging said members onto said needle when the perforation is in said second mentioned position, and means for retaining the members within said perforation during movement of the movable supply means from the first mentioned position to the second mentioned position.

9. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of means for alternately gripping and releasing the needle, a supply means adapted to convey members toward said needle, means for agitating a portion of said supply means, and a positive supply means adapted to receive members from said first supply means and to move them positively in faced position toward said needle.

10. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of means for alternately gripping and releasing the needle, a gravity supply means adapted to convey members toward said needle and a positive supply means adapted to receive members from said gravity conveyor and to move them positively toward said needle, the discharge end of said gravity supply means provided with a movable portion adapted to move to enlarge the discharge opening.

11. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of means for alternately gripping and releasing the needle, a gravity supply means adapted to convey members toward said needle, means for agitating a portion of said supply means, and a positive supply means adapted to receive members from said gravity conveyor and to move them positively toward said needle, the discharge end of said gravity supply means provided with a movable portion adapted to move to enlarge the discharge opening.

12. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of means for alternately gripping and releasing the needle, a gravity supply means adapted to convey members toward said needle, means for agitating a portion of said supply means, and a positive supply means located between said gravity supply means and said needle and adapted to receive members from said gravity conveyor and to move them positively toward said needle, the r discharge end of said gravity supply means provided with a movable portion adapted to move to enlarge the discharge opening.

13. In a threading machine, a needle, a

plurality of means for alternately gripping and releasing the needle, a gravity supply means adapted to convey members toward said needle, means for agitating a portion of said supply means, and a positive supply means located between said gravity supply means and said needle and adapted to receive a predet rmined number of members from said gravity conveyor and to move them positively toward said needle, the discharge end of said gravity supply means provided with a movable portion adapted to move to enlarge the discharge opening.

14. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of means for alternately gripping and releasing the needle, a gravity supply means adapted to convey members toward said needle, means for agitating a portion of said supply means and for agitating the member adjacent the intake end of said gravf"pity supply means, and a pos1t1ve supply Q9 means located between said gravity supply means and said needle and adapted to receive a predetermined number of members from said gravity conveyor and to move them '4 positively toward said needle, the discharge" end of said gravity supply means provided with a movable portion adapted to move to enlarge the discharge opening.

15. In a bead stringing mechanism, a needle, means for supplying membersto said nee- 305 die and a movable positive feeding member between said supply means and said needle, said movable member having a hollow to receive members from said supply means and a flat portion spaced from said hollow and positioned generally at the level of the up per end of said hollow and means for moving the member back and forth, whereby the flat portion is sometimes in opposition to the end of the supply means and blocks it, and

whereby the hollow is sometimes in opposition to the end of the supply means and may receive members which fall from it, said 1101- low being provided with a bottom discharge opening which is positioned above and in" alignment with said needle for discharging said members onto said needle when said fiat portion of the movable feeding member is in opposition to the end of the supply means, and means for retaining said mem- 'bers within said hollow during movement of the movable feeding means from a position in which said hollow is aligned with the end of the supply means to a position in which said hollow is in alignment with said needle. 7130 16. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of pairs of needle engaging means, automatic means for engaging them and disengaging them from the needle, whereby the needle is solely supported first by one pair and then by the other pair, feeding means for feeding parts to said needle, a restricted conveyor, means for agitating said conveyor, and a positive supply means for feeding members from said conveyor to said needle, said means including a member provided with a hollow, and means for moving the member whereby the hollow is alternately brought into position opposite said conveyor and opposite said needle.

17. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of pairs of needle engaging means, automatic means for engaging them and dis engaging them from the needle, whereby the needle is solely supported first by one pair and then by the o her pair, feeding means for feeding parts to said needle, said means including a hopper, a restricted conveyor between said hopper and said needle, means for agitating said conveyor, and positive supply means for feeding members from said conveyor to said needle, said means including a member provided with a hollow, and means for moving the member whereby the hollow is alternately brought into position opposite said conveyor and opposite said needle, whereby a predetermined number of members is fed to the needle positively from the conveyor.

18. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of pairs of needle engaging means, automatic means for engaging them and disengaging them from the needle, whereby the needle is solely supported first by one pair and then by the other pair, feeding means for feeding parts to said needle, said means including a hopper, a restricted conveyor between said hopper and said needle, means for agitating said conveyor and for agitating parts within said hopper, and a positive supply means for feeding members from said conveyor to said needle, said means including a member provided with a hollow, and means for moving the member whereby the hollow is alternately brought into position opposite said conveyor and opposite said needle.

19. In a threading machine, a needle, a plurality of pairs of needle engaging means, automatic means for engaging them and disengaging them from the needle, whereby the needle is solely supported first by one pair and then by the other pair, feeding means for feeding parts to said needle, said means including a hopper, arestricted conveyor between said hopper and said needle, means for agitating said conveyor and for agitating parts within said hopper adjacent the intake end of said conveyor, and a positive supply means for feeding parts from said opposite said conveyor and opposite said needle, whereby a predetermined number of parts is fed to the needle positively from the conveyor.

Signed at Chicago county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 19th day of March,

LQTHAR A. EDERER. 

